When it comes to childhood trauma, your brain mayrepress memoriesas a coping mechanism.
Throughout adulthood, you might feel something is not right and not know why.
This article discusses signs and symptoms that indicate you may have repressed memories from childhood trauma.
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It also reviews other possible reasons for these emotions or behaviors and ways to cope.
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Trauma and Memory
Your brain processes and stores memories.
Memory Wars
There is a long-standing debate about the validity of memory repression.
Causes of Childhood Trauma
Traumas experienced as a child are also calledadverse childhood experiences(ACEs).
ACEs may leave emotional scars that can cause repressed emotions to emerge as an adult.
These symptoms may occur or worsen during stressful times.
For example,you may feel anxiouswhen your partner goes out to dinner with friends for the evening.
The following are types of therapy that can help with the impact of childhood trauma.
An inability to recall information related to personal traumas is sometimes called dissociative amnesia.
Dissociative memory loss can affect a specific part of a persons life or significant parts of a persons identity.
While trauma may not cause dementia, it can aggravate symptoms such as memory loss.
They can help you work through your feelings, form better relationships, and enjoy a fulfilling life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Childhood trauma may leave emotional scars that last into adulthood.
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Rockville, MD: HHS Publication; 2014: Chapter 3.
